Latest news with #Scope
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Energy suppliers to contact customers as nationwide shut-off shifts
Households will need to take action before the radio signal connecting their meters and energy suppliers shuts down Approximately 314,000 households in the UK utilise Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters for their energy supply. However, the radio signal these meters depend on is being retired, which could lead to soaring bills or disruption to heating and hot water supplies for those who fail to act before the switch off. The original deadline for this switch off was June 30, but just days ahead of this date, the government confirmed that the change will be implemented in a "cautious and targeted phase out". This update came after fuel poverty campaigners argued that the hard cut-off was "unachievable". The government has assured those affected by the switch off that they will be contacted by their suppliers, who can advise on the necessary steps to take. Disability charity Scope also highlighted: "We are urging disabled people to act, before Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters are switched off." Phil, Scope's Disability Energy Support expert, shared his own experience: "I recently upgraded my own RTS meter, and this is what you need to know." He cautioned: "If you have an RTS meter (black box in the image), your heating and hot water supply could stop working as normal. You may find it's continually left on or off, or the charging-up happens at the wrong time of day. "Your energy bills could be much higher than before. This is because your electricity supplier won't be able to confirm how much electricity you have used during peak or off-peak times. " Miatta Fahnbulleh, the minister for energy consumers, made an announcement in a written statement on June 18, stating: "My department has stepped in to ensure there will be a managed and more controlled start of the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) phase out from 30 June. People with an RTS meter will not face any unexpected disruption to their heating or hot water at the end of the month." The Scope expert urged consumers: "It's important that you contact your energy supplier before the switch-off. This will ensure there is no disruption to your electricity supply or impact on your bills." "Contact your electricity supplier as soon as possible and ask for a free upgrade to a smart meter. You're not required to accept a smart meter. "In some cases, a smart meter upgrade may not be available. Your supplier must still provide a suitable alternative to keep your energy supply running properly. Speak to your supplier to understand the options available to you." To identify if you have an RTS meter, Phil outlined the following indicators: You have a separate switch box near your meter labelled 'Radio Teleswitch' Your home is heated with electricity or storage heaters There's no gas supply in your area You get cheaper energy at certain times of the day
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
DWP issues update on PIP reform plans ahead of major welfare changes
THE Department for Work and Pensions has issued a major update on PIP reform plans ahead of a major shake-up. In March, the government revealed plans to tighten the rules for claiming personal independence payments (PIP). 1 The goal is to shave £5billion a year off the nation's soaring welfare budget and drive more people to return to work. Today, the proposed legislation to make this happen was introduced in Parliament for the first time. The DWP's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill explains how the government plans to reduce the number of people claiming PIP by making the rules for eligibility stricter. Currently, you qualify for PIP by earning enough points across different tasks, like cooking, cleaning, or managing money. But, under the new rules, you'll need to score at least four points on one specific daily living activity to qualify. This means simply having minor difficulties across several areas may no longer be enough to qualify. This change could see about 800,000 people lose out, with an average loss of £4,500 per year, according to government's own impact assessment. However, the Bill also introduces measures to protect existing claimants who might lose their payments. If someone loses their PIP under the new rules, they will still receive payments for 13 weeks as a safety net. This also applies to related benefits, such as carer's allowance. But campaigners, including disability equality charity Scope, said the longer transition period, up from an originally expected four weeks, "will only temporarily delay a cut and disabled people will continue to be living with extra costs when it comes to an end". Food bank network Trussell said: "The last-minute details on protections offer something for a small proportion of people, but even they will still see a real-terms cut. "The reality of this Bill is still record cuts in support for disabled people, and the biggest cuts to social security since 2015." The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill has also set out how the government proposes to slash incapacity benefits offered to those on Universal Credit. It also includes a proposal to hike the Universal Credit standard allowance above inflation over the next four years. What is PIP and who is eligible? HOUSEHOLDS suffering from a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition can get extra help through personal independence payments (PIP). The maximum you can receive from the Government benefit is £187.45 a week. PIP is for those over 16 and under the state pension age, currently 66. Crucially, you must also have a health condition or disability where you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around - or both - for three months, and you expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you're terminally ill with less than 12 months to live). You can also claim PIP if you're in or out of work and if you're already getting limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) payments if you claim Universal Credit. PIP is made up of two parts and whether you get one or both of these depends on how severely your condition affects you. You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around. The weekly rate for this is either £29.70 or £77.05. On the daily living part of PIP, the weekly rate is either £73.90 or £110.40 - and you could get both elements, so up to £187.45 in total. You can claim PIP at the same time as other benefits, except the armed forces independence payment. What's happening with Universal Credit? The government plans to freeze the extra health payments available to those on Universal Credit who are unable to work. For people already on Universal Credit, the current incapacity payment of £416.19 a month for those unable to work will be frozen until 2030. This means the payment will no longer increase with inflation each spring. However, for new claims starting from April 2026, this very same payment will be cut by half, to approximately £208 a month (or £50 a week). This reduced amount will also be frozen until 2030, meaning new claimants will receive significantly less extra support. At the same time, the government is proposing to hike the Universal Credit standard allowance above inflation over the next four years. It believes that raising the standard allowance for everyone while reducing the health top-up will make returning to work more financially worthwhile and possible. However, charities disagree. Anela Anwar, chief executive of anti-poverty charity Z2K, said: "We all know that our broken disability benefits system needs reform. "But these reckless plans, which official estimates show will plunge more than one million disabled people into poverty or even deeper into poverty, do not represent meaningful reform. "Government suggestions that these cuts are about helping people into work are entirely disingenuous. "Experts agree that only between 1% and 3% of those who will be hit by the cuts are expected to find work as a result." The government also plans to get rid of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA), which is used to decide if someone qualifies for Universal Credit health payments, at a later date. Instead, the DWP will use the PIP assessment to decide if someone is eligible for these health payments. The DWP aims to make this change by 2028. What are Work Capability Assessments? The DWP uses the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) to evaluate a claimant's ability to work when applying for Universal Credit due to a health condition or disability. The WCA focuses on assessing functional limitations rather than specific medical diagnoses. It considers both physical and mental health, awarding points based on how an individual's condition impacts their ability to carry out daily activities. After the assessment, claimants may be placed into one of two groups - Limited Capability for Work (LCW) or Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA). Claimants assigned to the LCW group are recognised as currently unfit for work but may be capable of returning to employment in the future with the right support and assistance. Those in this group are required to engage in work-related activities, such as attending Jobcentre appointments or training courses. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in sanctions, including a reduction or suspension of benefits. Claimants are placed in the LCWRA group if their health condition or disability is considered so severe that they are not expected to be able to work or participate in any work-related activities in the foreseeable future. Those in the LCWRA group receive an additional amount on top of their standard Universal Credit allowance currently worth £416.19 a month.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Welfare reform marks moment of compassion, says Kendall amid backbench anger
The introduction of proposed legislation to reform the welfare system 'marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity', the Work and Pensions Secretary has said. Liz Kendall's words come amid a backlash from some Labour MPs who have criticised the 'awful' cuts to welfare – which the Government hopes can save up to £5 billion a year. The reforms – aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work – are set to include the tightening of criteria for personal independence payment (Pip), which is the main disability benefit, as well as a cut to the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) and delayed access to only those aged 22 and over. Ministers are likely to face a Commons stand-off with backbench Labour MPs over their plans, with dozens of them last month saying the proposals were 'impossible to support'. In what could be seen as an attempt to head off some opposition, the legislation – known as the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill – will give existing claimants a 13-week period of financial support. The Department for Work and Pensions said this will apply to those affected by changes to the Pip daily living component, including those who lose their eligibility to Carers Allowance and the carer's element of UC. But campaigners, including disability equality charity Scope, said the longer transition period, up from an originally expected four weeks, 'will only temporarily delay a cut and disabled people will continue to be living with extra costs when it comes to an end'. Food bank network Trussell said: 'The last-minute details on protections offer something for a small proportion of people, but even they will still see a real-terms cut. 'The reality of this Bill is still record cuts in support for disabled people, and the biggest cuts to social security since 2015.' Contrary to Ms Kendall's words, learning disability charity Mencap accused the Government of having 'confirmed the choice to turn its back on thousands of disabled people and by pushing ahead with these welfare reforms, they are causing a huge amount of anxiety'. Ms Kendall said: 'Our social security system is at a crossroads. Unless we reform it, more people will be denied opportunities, and it may not be there for those who need it. 'This legislation represents a new social contract and marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity. 'This will give people peace of mind, while also fixing our broken social security system so it supports those who can work to do so while protecting those who cannot – putting welfare spending on a more sustainable path to unlock growth as part of our Plan for Change.' As the Bill was formally introduced to the Commons on Wednesday, and the question asked as to what the next date for debate will be, Labour backbencher and former shadow chancellor John McDonnell could be heard to say 'Never'. A date has not yet been confirmed. Louise Murphy, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation think tank said the longer period of protection for those affected by Pip cuts is 'a sensible tweak that should ease the blow for those who are no longer eligible for support'. But she criticised extra funding for employment support not coming fully into effect until 2029 at the earliest, saying: 'While ministers have softened the stick of welfare cuts, they have not strengthened the carrot of greater employment support.' Sir Keir Starmer said he was 'determined' to ensure the reforms go through because he feels the welfare system 'doesn't work for anyone'. 'It doesn't work for those that want to get back to work, and it certainly doesn't work for the taxpayer,' the Prime Minister told Good Morning Britain, saying 'those that need to be protected should be protected'. 'If you need help in support to get into work, the Government should be providing that support and help to get into work,' he said. 'If you do have conditions, disabilities that mean it is impossible for you to work, then you need to be properly protected and supported.' The latest data, published on Tuesday, showed that more than 3.7 million people in England and Wales are claiming Pip, with teenagers and young adults making up a growing proportion. The figures, published by the Department for Work and Pensions, showed there were a record 3.74 million people in England and Wales claiming Pip as of April this year. The figure is up from 3.69 million in January and a jump of 200,000 from 3.54 million a year earlier. Data for Pip claimants begins in January 2019, when the number stood at 2.05 million. Pip is a benefit aimed at helping with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition. An impact assessment published alongside Wednesday's Bill introduction, confirmed previously published estimates that changes to Pip entitlement rules could see about 800,000 people lose out, with an average loss of £4,500 per year. Ms Kendall previously said there are 1,000 new Pip awards every day – 'the equivalent of adding a city the size of Leicester every single year'. The impact assessment also confirmed a previous estimate that some250,000 more people, including 50,000 children, are likely to fall into relative poverty after housing costs in 2029/2030, although the Government repeated that this does not take into account the potentially positive impact of £1 billion annual funding by then for measures to support people into work. Changes to UC are expected to see an estimated 2.25 million current recipients of the health element impacted, with an average loss of £500 per year. But the Government said around 3.9 million households not on the UC health element are expected to have an average annual gain of £265 from the increase in the standard UC allowance. While all of the Bill applies to England and Wales, only the UC changes apply to Scotland. The Government said there are equivalent provisions to legislate for Northern Ireland included in the Bill.
Metro
3 days ago
- Health
- Metro
More than 100,000 people sign Scope's petition against government disability cut
Volunteers from learning disability charity Scope today handed a petition to the government with the voices of 100,0000 people opposing the cuts to welfare and PIP. Today, members of the charity gathered at Downing Street after receiving the backing of people across the UK and the disabled community. In March, Labour announced plans to save £5bn a year by overhauling the welfare system, plans which have been called 'barbaric' by campaigners. Volunteers for the charity included Rachel Batton, 53, from Cardiff, who, if the government papers are given the green light, her PIP cuts would be halved. She told Metro she was 'really scared' about the future and in 'constant stress waiting on tenterhooks' awaiting what cuts the government is going to make. Rachel has classical type EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome). EDS impacts Rachel by causing joint and muscle pain, easy bruising, frequent dislocations, and severe fatigue. She also has Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which further affects her mobility and fatigue. She said she felt 'resilient' but that there was a 'black cloud' over her everyday. She said: 'You feel like you're walking through treacle, just because your symptoms are getting worse and things and your pain is getting significantly worse. 'I can't remember a time when my pain was as bad as this, because I'm stressing about it every single day.' Rachel receives Personal Independence Payment (PIP) at the enhanced rate for daily living and the standard rate for mobility. Without PIP, Rachel would not be able to afford to manage the extra costs she is faced with. It's like, it feels like this is a tick box exercise, and the decision has already been made, and they're not going to change their mind but we've got to try.' 'It's like, it feels like this is a tick box exercise, and the decision has already been made, and they're not going to change their mind but we've got to try.' Rachel has a number of disability related extra costs and the amount of money she is about to receive from the government is going to be halved, she said. She needs frequent hot baths and consistent heating to manage her symptoms. Fatigue and mobility issues make food preparation difficult, so she relied on more expensive pre-cut ingredients and ready meals Scope said in the petition: 'Needing more financial support is not a choice. Disabled people often live in pain and in fear of losing vital support. 'After years of rising prices, many disabled people are already on the brink. Cutting disability benefits will deal another catastrophic blow to disabled people's lives.' Jessica Leigh, campaigns manager at disability equality charity Scope, said: 'We're here to urge the government to drop these catastrophic plans to rip billions from the welfare budget. 'Life costs a lot more when you're disabled, and these cuts will have a devastating effect on disabled people's health, ability to live independently or work, as in Rachel's case. 'Without PIP, she won't be able to afford the things she needs to manage her conditions and the pain which comes with them, meaning she could no longer be able to work. 'The government must listen to disabled people and change course.' Last year, Scope research found that on average, disabled households need an additional £1,010 a month to have the same standard of living as non-disabled households. If you want to find out more information about the petition visit: Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Jamie Vardy next club odds: Striker will be in demand after leaving Leicester and could head north of the border MORE: 'Monster' 18ft python rescued along with three others after being found dumped in woods MORE: Astrid & Miyu launch unmissable summer sale on jewellery for a limited time only
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Fast-fashion retailer Shein's transport emissions jump 13.7% in 2024
Shein 's carbon emissions from transporting products climbed 13.7% in 2024, the online fast-fashion retailer's sustainability report showed on Friday, and its 2023 transport emissions were 18% higher than previously reported after a recalculation. Shein uses mainly air freight to send cheap clothes directly from suppliers in China to shoppers around the world, a more carbon-intensive supply chain model compared with traditional apparel retailers that ship more of their products on container vessels. Shein said it plans to produce, package, and ship closer to its customers as a way to lower emissions and cut delivery times and shipping costs. It increased its use of sea freight and trucking in 2024, according to the report. Emissions from transporting products to and between Shein facilities, and to customers, including returns, were 8.52 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent in 2024, up from 7.49 million metric tons of CO2e in 2023, according to the report. Shein's transport emissions for 2024 are more than three times those of Zara owner Inditex, which reported 2.61 million tons of CO2e for its 2024 financial year. Shein said its 2023 emissions were recalculated after an update to its methodology. Last year it reported a 2023 figure of 6.35 million metric tons. Founded in China and headquartered in Singapore, Shein sources most of its products from 7,000 suppliers in China, but also has a growing network of suppliers in Brazil and Turkey. Steep tariffs imposed by the United States on Chinese goods have made it more urgent for Shein to diversify its supplier base, as the U.S. is its biggest market. The company aims to go public and has shifted its focus to a Hong Kong initial public offering after failing to win Chinese securities' regulatory approval to proceed with a planned London listing. Shein's emissions reduction targets, approved last month by the Science-Based Targets Initiative, are for a 25% reduction in Scope 3 (indirect) emissions by 2030, compared with 2023.
